Happy Hour: One malt to rule them all

Every Jan. 25, some of us celebrate the life and work of the randy and ill-fated 18th-century Scottish poet Robert Burns. It’s a terrific excuse to wear a kilt, tipsily recite mostly incomprehensible poetry and chow down on some sheep’s offal. And if you’ve never tried single malt Scotch before, I implore you to make this year the year.

It is normal for a drinks column to recommend the new and unusual for Burns Night — special editions and such — but this year, I’m revisiting some trusty, popular classics. It’s an enlightening exercise for the novice and connoisseur alike. Below are five single-malt Scotches every whisky drinker should get familiar with (Ontario prices given). They’re all typical of their region of origin. I’ve arranged them roughly in order from gentle to gruff. Sniff and sip neat, and then drink with a tiny bit of spring water.

Auchentoshan12 Year Old, $48.45Region Lowland
Some recommend Lowland Scotches to novices because they tend to exhibit delicate flavour profiles. Auchentoshan 12 gives off a gentle, sweet scent of burnt caramel, vanilla and faint flowers and citrus. Enjoy early in the night while you can still taste the subtlety.

The Glenlivet15 Year Old French Oak, Reserve, $63.65 Region Speyside
This region in the Highlands produces some of the poshest whiskies. With The Glenlivet I get a sweet apple and raisin aroma, and some salty and peaty oak flavours adding complexity on the palate. If you can’t afford a $200-a-bottle whisky, this hints at what such a thing tastes like.

Glenfiddich15 Year Old, $63.95Region Speyside
Don’t scoff just because Glenfiddich is the world’s most popular brand of single malt whisky. It deserves to be. The 15 Year Old adds sweet sherry and dried fruit flavours to the characteristic Glenfiddich pear aroma that accompanies each sip. You might also taste ginger and marzipan in this affordably luxurious whisky.

Laphroaig10 Year Old, $79.95Region Islay (pronounced I’ll-uh)
The bigness of an Islay whisky’s flavour cannot be overstated, and Laphroaig 10 boldly claims to be “the most richly flavoured of all Scotch whiskies.” A whiff or sip brings one out to sea on a wave of rich, oily, salty smoke. Meanwhile, a sweet pear flavour and silky texture make Laphroaig a delight for the lucky few who appreciate its earthy qualities.